WALLABIES WIN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 16, 10 September 1931, Page 3

WALLABIES WIN

Press Association-

-"Post" Special Service.

maoris defeated australian backs go well to win 14 — 3 FORWARDS NOT SO GOOD

-Copyright.

By Telephone—

PALMERSTON N., Wednesday. - In the presprice of a crowd of about 7000, the Wallabies defeated the Maoris by 14 to 3 after a great game. The ground was heavy after the morning- rain but the afternooxi was fine and the game spectacular considering the conditions. The Australian's first try, fifteen minutes after the start, was a good one,,_the backs and forwards combining in a pretty movement. Ross converted. For the rest of the spell, however, the Maoris had the better of it and came very near a score. In the second spell the Wallabies were definitely superior, the backs being brilliant. The scores would have been bigger had the forwards been able to handle better. Two simple passes were missed when they had nothing to stop them. The Wallabies won the toss, and Bell kicked off, Kaua giving the inh tial advantage to the Maoris with a good line kick. The Wallabies worked baok but tbe Maoris smothered Bennett's attempt to get the backs going though they were penalised for shepherding. The teams were as follow: Australia: Ross, Tolburst, Towers, Herd, Hemingway, Steggall, Bennett, Blair, Bonis, Cerutti, Judd, White, Perryn, Brydle, J. Clark. Maoris: Johnson, MacDonald, Ruru, Walford, Rata, Kaua, Harrison, Bell, Wanoa, Gemmell, Manihera, Wilson, Purdue, Reid, Robinson, Malcolm. " First Thrill The first thrill came when Gemmell broke away with a great run, the ball passing to McDonald whose reverse pass went astray. A long kick transferred the scene of the operations and a close call came when Bennett worked the blin.d side and gave a nice pass to Hertiingway who drew the defence and fired a long pass in-field to Cerutti, who sent Judd over by the posts. Australia 5, Maoris nil. The Wallabies were throwing the ball/ about, but Rata taking the ball off Steggall's boot raced away on his own, kicking over Ross who, however, was equal to the occasion. Three penalties for the Maoris saw ' the game in front of the posts where a scrum was formed. Harrison came round on the blind side, and dummied his way between two Wallabies and touched down. MacDonald and Ross tackled him on the line but .his weight carried him over for a splendid try. Australian 5, Maoris 3. Second Spell There was no further scoring in the first half but the Maoris held territorial advantage and passing rushes signalised the opening of the second half. Then Perrin was instrumental in taking the game to the corner where the Wallabies tried unavailingly to get over. They then sent the ball across the backs to Tolhurst who was grassed by Johnson. The ball went back to the goal where tbe Maoris were penalised. Ross had an easy kick, but the ball hit the post rebounding into play. The Wallabies sustained pressure for some time and then two brilliant Maori rushes were halted by Ross. Bennett started his backs away again and a short punt went to Harrison wbo was caught in possession. The Wallaby forwards had the ball at their feet all the way and tbe line clear, but failed to score. Ross, however, added three points when a Maori was penalised for standing offside. Australia 8, Maoris 3. The Australians followed this with a series of brilliant attacks, and the wings centreing when pushed for room, had the Maoris on the run. The Australian forwards had another clear run for tbe line but overran the ball. Towers found the line right on the corner and Boris scored from the resulting melee. Ross failed 'in a difficult kick. Australia 11* Maoris 3. Hard to Stop The Australian forwards were hard to stop at this stage and the next score came when Cerutti broke hrough with the ball at his feet. Johnson got it but was downed and lost possession. Steggall gathered up the leather and raced over under the posts. Australia 14, Maoris 3. During the final stages, the Maoris played with renewed vigour and the game was becoming willing. A very good Maori passing rush broke through over the line, Ruru failing to accept a difficult pass. The Maoris then tried the other side, and Walford and Rata got into the corner. Both sides were firing the ball about but Hemingway made a great run down the line and overkicked for a force. Just before time the Wallabies were attacking on the line but Perdue and Wilson broke up the back movement and worked to half way where a long kick was forced by Ross and the gave was over. Mr R. J./Patton was referee.